How to Choose a Laundry Cycle

What goes on underneath that washing machine lid? The cycle you choose will determine the agitation level used to loosen soil from your clothes.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid Fabric Softeners
• Laundry Detergents
• Laundry Pretreatment
• Washing Machines
• Fabric Softener Sheets

Instructions

1. Set the cycle on gentle or delicates/knits for items such as lingerie, sheer or rayon fabrics, and machine-washable silk and wool, all of which benefit from the slower and shorter agitation and spin.

2. Choose the permanent press cycle for synthetic fibers (excluding acrylic, modacrylic, rayon and acetate, which you should consider delicate) for shorter agitation time and an extra cold-water spray or deep rinse to smooth out the wrinkles.

3. Set the cycle for most of your sturdier (and exceptionally soiled) clothes on regular - this cycle features a vigorous agitation and a hot water rinse.

Tips & Warnings

• Some washing machine models with mechanical controls show only regular and permanent press cycles, but they allow you to adjust agitation and spin speeds.